Fort Smith AR vs Westminster CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Westminster
115,546
Westminster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Fort Smith +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Fort Smith +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Fort Smith +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Fort Smith +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 115,546 | Westminster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | Fort Smith + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 8.2% | Fort Smith + |
| White | 61.2% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 7.7% | 1.2% | Fort Smith + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 4.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $528,447 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Westminster
512
Westminster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Fort Smith +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Westminster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fort Smith + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 28.6 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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